JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSStephanie Meilleur, left, who is running for city council in Fort Rouge/East Fort Garry, campaigns in Osborne Village Sunday. She said using the Osborne BIZ twitter account for an election tweet was 'a very simple mistake.'

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/10/2018 (328 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A candidate for city council who used her Osborne Village BIZ Twitter account to promote a campaign event says it was an accident.

"It was a very simple mistake," said Stephanie Meilleur, who's on leave from her position as the executive director of the Osborne Village BIZ to run in Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry. Meilleur used the BIZ account to tweet about a town hall meeting on public safety she was hosting on Oct. 18.

"I have multiple accounts and when I realized it, I took it down immediately," Meilleur said Sunday.

That doesn't ring true to Osborne Village resident and former BIZ chairwoman, Teresa Sanderson, who was also a former interim executive director of the BIZ.

Your free trial has come to an end.

We hope you have enjoyed your trial! To continue reading, we recommend our Read Now Pay Later membership. Simply add a form of payment and pay only 27¢ per article.

For unlimited access to the best local, national, and international news and much more, try an All Access Digital subscription:

Thank you for supporting the journalism that our community needs!

Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/10/2018 (328 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A candidate for city council who used her Osborne Village BIZ Twitter account to promote a campaign event says it was an accident.

"It was a very simple mistake," said Stephanie Meilleur, who's on leave from her position as the executive director of the Osborne Village BIZ to run in Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry. Meilleur used the BIZ account to tweet about a town hall meeting on public safety she was hosting on Oct. 18.

"I have multiple accounts and when I realized it, I took it down immediately," Meilleur said Sunday.

That doesn't ring true to Osborne Village resident and former BIZ chairwoman, Teresa Sanderson, who was also a former interim executive director of the BIZ.

"The Tweet remained up as of Saturday," said Sanderson, who challenged the BIZ tweet as soon as it was posted last week. She said that Meilleur left it up for several days after it was brought to her attention and never issued a correction or an apology for using a BIZ account to campaign for herself. "She did it on purpose," said Sanderson.

The Village BIZ hasn't tweeted about any events hosted by the other six candidates in the ward, Sanderson said. With the BIZ having more than 3,200 followers on Twitter and Meilleur having just 110, Sanderson said she can see why Meilleur would have used the BIZ Twitter account to get the word out about her campaign event but doesn't think it's right.

"It's like using company property for your own purposes," said Sanderson, who handles asset protection for a national retail chain. The City of Winnipeg works with 16 Business Improvement Zones representing more than 5,000 businesses. Their goal is to enhance economic development for businesses in a variety of neighbourhoods, create distinct shopping destinations, promote business attraction, provide street-level beautification, and improve marketing opportunities for BIZ members.

Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, who held the ward for 20 years before announcing she would not seek re-election, said she's not sure if the BIZ tweet sent out by Meilleur actually breaks any election rules. Gerbasi did, however, question the ethics of using the BIZ as a platform to promote a specific candidate.

"I don’t believe the BIZ should be doing this," she said in an email. Gerbasi has endorsed one of Meilleur's opponents, Winnipeg School Division chairwoman, Sherri Rollins.

University of Manitoba political studies Prof. Royce Koop said candidates can be expected to take advantage of their connections but ought to avoid the impression that they're getting an unfair advantage.

"I think it’s a general point that candidates draw on the resources and the connections they have developed before the campaign, and we shouldn’t really blame them for doing so," Koop said. "But they will certainly want to avoid the impression that they’re getting an unfair advantage — that they're being helped by organizations that have a certain standing in the community..." he said.

"And that’s more the concern here, the idea that (Meilleur) is getting an unfair advantage, and the possibility that people will respond negatively to that."

The negative reaction to her BIZ Tweet is one example of "cyber bullying" that Meilleur said she's endured since announcing her candidacy. She's been hounded on social media about where she lives and where her child goes to school, for instance.

Meilleur said her family lives in Warren, Man. and she's worked for the Osborne Village BIZ for seven years and been committed to improving it.

"I plant the flowers, pick up the needles and pick up the garbage," Meilleur said.

"When I decided to run, I rented an apartment in the ward because I need to be living in the ward - you should live and work and breathe in the area you're running in," she said. "If I'm elected, we will be purchasing a home in Winnipeg," she said.

Meilleur said she's deleted most of the "highly inappropriate" social media comments that she receives, and couldn't think of any specific examples or identify the senders. She alleges they're connected to the Manitoba NDP.

Want more on the election?

"It’s very well known the NDP are involved in this election," Meilleur claimed.

That's news to the president of the Manitoba NDP.

"In 2013, the Manitoba NDP updated its constitution to eliminate municipal endorsements by the provincial party," David Woodbury said in an email Sunday. This is the second round of municipal elections in which no municipal or school board candidates have been endorsed by the Manitoba NDP."

Sanderson said she complained on Twitter about Meilleur because she was outraged by her misusing her BIZ connection campaign on her own behalf.

"I have no connection to the NDP," Sanderson said. On the contrary, the woman who used to live in Calgary says she once voted for Conservative MP Stephen Harper.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Carol SandersReporter

Carol Sanders’ reporting on newcomers to Canada has made international headlines, earned national recognition but most importantly it’s shared the local stories of the growing diversity of people calling Manitoba home.

History

Updated on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 12:23 PM CDT: Teresa Sanderson, who on Sunday criticized Winnipeg city council candidate Stephanie Meilleur for using the Osborne Village Business Improvement Zone Twitter account to promote her own campaign event, is a former BIZ chairwoman and former interim executive director of the BIZ.

Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry

With longtime Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry councillor Jenny Gerbasi deciding not to run again, the field is wide open with seven candidates.

First-time city council candidate and longtime school trustee Sherri Rollins is running to replace Gerbasi. So is promotions company owner Stephanie Meilleur, who’s served as Osborne BIZ executive director.

Peter Koroma is an anti-poverty activist and public servant who wants to address the issue of homelessness and speed up expanded bus rapid transit to all four points of Winnipeg.

Harry Wolbert is an anti-poverty and disability-services advocate who chairs the Winnipeg Transit Riders Association.

Michael Thompson works for Kiwi Installations and is regular volunteer with the Ironman Outdoor Curling Bonspiel.

Bryanna Spina owns Prairie Roots Yoga and is an Early Grey Community Centre volunteer.

Jeff Palmer is a professional city planner who lives and volunteers in the ward.

The Free Press invited all council and mayoral candidates to fill out a questionnaire about themselves, their platforms and what they hope to achieve in office. Read their responses below.

Candidates

Harry Wolbert

I grew up in Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry. As a child, I went to school at Lord Roberts. My father had a convenience store in the Osborne Village until his retirement. For the last 29 years, I have supported people living with disabilities to live in the community. I am also a Winnipeg Sun columnist. I have been writing a monthly "commentary" since January 2010.

Read More

Age: 57

Profession: I work for the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg as a Special Needs Programming Inclusion Aide.

Education:

In October 2016, I graduated from CDI College with a diploma as a Health Care Aide (HCA).

About You

Have you ever previously run for or held office?

In 2007 and 2011 I ran as a candidate for the Manitoba Liberal Party in St. Vital. I have also run twice for city council in St. Vital. I was a candidate in Winnipeg's 2010 Civic Election and in the 2011 St. Vital by-election.

Have you ever been a member of a political party?

I was a member of the Manitoba Liberal Party from 2006-2013.

Why did you decide to run for office?

I believe that I can make a difference in my community. I have the experience and leadership skills necessary for the position of city councillor.

What are the biggest issues facing your community?

Public safety and poverty are two of the biggest issues facing the community. In Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry 20% of the residents live below the poverty line. I will not forget about our city's poor and homeless. I will also make public safety a priority. Our police should be provided with all of the resources they need in order to keep the citizens of Winnipeg safe. If elected, I won't support making any cuts to the Winnipeg Police Service budget.

Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.

I love cats. I see myself as a cat person. Over the last 17 years, I have had five cats.

About your platforms and policies

What is your position on reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians?

I am opposed to opening Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic. Opening up Portage and Main would create massive traffic problems and wreak havoc on transit schedules. There is also the cost involved in opening up the intersection. I believe that any accessibility issues underground can be adequately addressed without opening-up Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic.

What should Winnipeg’s plan be for the future of public and active transit?

I oppose the construction of any new Bus Rapid Transit routes. I would like to see any future transit funding go towards the full-conversion of our city's 623 transit buses from diesel-to-electric. I support the introduction of a low-income bus pass for those living in poverty. I believe that a well-funded and well-run public transportation is vital to our city. If elected, I will support a public and active transportation system that is safe, affordable, and accessible for all of our citizens.

What actions should the city take to progress toward reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians?

Many of our city's poor and homeless are Indigenous. Ending poverty and homelessness would go a long way towards achieving reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians.

How can the city tackle growing problems with drug addiction?

There are no easy answers to this growing problem. The City of Winnipeg should play a more active role in lobbying the provincial government for more drug treatment centres. I also support the creation of safe injection sites in our city.

Tell us about something you’ve seen in another city that Winnipeggers should consider implementing here.

Medicine Hat, Alberta has been able to eliminate chronic homelessness. According to the latest street census, homelessness has been on the rise in our city. The City of Winnipeg needs to make ending poverty and homelessness a priority. I believe that a Winnipeg without poverty is possible.

Find out more about Harry Wolbert:

Michael Thompson

I was born in Winnipeg at St. Boniface Hospital after which I was adopted and raised in Amaranth, Manitoba by a wonderful Ukrainian-Canadian couple. I was fortunate to have had many strong role models growing up, particularly my grandmothers, both of whom were very strong and determined. I initially moved to Winnipeg to begin my high school education at St. Boniface Diocesan High School and have lived and worked here ever since. I began living in Osborne Village as of 1991 and have almost always lived within walking distance of downtown Winnipeg. We currently live in Osborne Village. I was fortunate to meet my partner, Jill, and to welcome a wonderful baby boy together in 2012. Being a father has been a dream come true. My son Luke now attends kindergarten at Ecole Riverview.

Read More

Age: 45

Profession: After attending University of Manitoba for a number of years focusing on Computer Science, I pursued a full time career at Western Canada Lottery Corporation for 25 years. I was involved in major corporate projects and was in charge of computer operations which involved being on call around the clock 365 days of the year. Additional responsibilities included software and hardware rollouts, staffing levels, Lotto 649 and Super 7 draws as well as local draws. I went on to spend a brief period with Deloitte auditing the lottery industry and Tim Hortons "roll up the rim" draws. I am now in the process of transitioning to a new career. I am currently working part time jobs with Kiwi Installations providing security shutters for businesses as well as with Christie Lites providing lighting equipment and set up to all of the major festivals in Manitoba.

Education:

I have obtained my Project Management Certificate from Red River College as well as my Management Certificate from University of Winnipeg. I also have obtained IT certificates in Linux and Oracle.

About You

Have you ever previously run for or held office?

I have never run for or held office in the Canadian political forum. However, I have held many board positions within Toastmasters International. I was elected, through an election campaign process like that of civic politics, to the Toastmasters District Board which oversees close to 100 diverse toastmaster clubs in Manitoba and Northern Ontario.

Have you ever been a member of a political party?

Yes, I wanted to explore the dynamics of a political party so I became a member of the Green Party for one year.

Why did you decide to run for office?

I strongly believe in our city and in our communities. The reason I chose to run for office is because I want to be the person who listens to and represents the citizens of our ward to implement positive change within our city. My corporate experience in computer operations and project management as well as my volunteer work has lead me to this point. Each experience has given me the opportunity to work with teams within a variety of organizations, to be in leadership roles with important responsibilities and to help individuals directly. I am an open minded flexible individual who will prove to be a trustworthy advocate for you and for our community.

What are the biggest issues facing your community?

I believe the following issues are most important based upon my conversations with people living within the ward:

-Infrastructure quality including roads, back lanes and sidewalks

-Significant shift in homelessness, increased use of high risk drugs, and property crime.

-Transit service frequency, accessibility, affordability and safety.

Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.

I was a rickshaw driver and then owner of the rickshaws in downtown Winnipeg from 1992 to 1999. It was a great experience being part of the downtown culture and a lot of summer festivals. Running through Portage and Main with a rickshaw was always a special moment and rare moment.

About your platforms and policies

What is your position on reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians?

I support reopening Portage and Main, if the project can be completed within the current budget, in order to make our city more accessible for people with disabilities and for those people who choose to use active methods of transportation. However, I would respect the choice of the city referendum.

What should Winnipeg’s plan be for the future of public and active transit?

Public transportation is a need, not a want, for thousands of people who are trying to commute to work and to school on a daily basis. People are depending upon this service in order to accomplish what they need to get done in their daily lives. People therefore want a transit service that is efficient, affordable, environmentally friendly and above all, one in which they feel they can safely use.

My vision for the future of our transit system is one that is safe for drivers and riders and one that meets the needs of the people in the communities they live and work within. This includes increased service frequency, short hub routes, increased budget for more hours and total routes, modified service times prior to and after major events in the city, increased safety for public and drivers, improved technology for fares and transit rider software applications, overall affordability as well as availability of washrooms for transit staff.

Active transit should be the links to the major public transit system. People need options for reaching major public transportation hubs that are close, simple and affordable. Those paths need to outline and prioritized so major sidewalks or bike paths are completed first. If elected, I would make that a priority for our ward.

What actions should the city take to progress toward reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians?

The city is headed in the right direction of reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians however there is still a lot of work to do. I will work hard to make sure that Indigenous peoples have equitable access to jobs and training with the City of Winnipeg. Job security adds to long term stability and prosperity for our Indigenous citizens and for our entire community.

How can the city tackle growing problems with drug addiction?

The city needs to address the underlying social issues that most impact high risk individuals making them more susceptible to addiction. The city must work together with higher levels of government and non-government organizations in order to do the following:

• Provide financial support to neighbourhood groups such as the Bear Clan Patrol to help decrease the presence of gang activity and crime in areas of the city that are most susceptible.

• Provide funding for community centres and social programming within high risk areas to provide children and young adults with a safe place to go in the evenings and on weekends.

• Increase education within our school systems and our neighbourhoods to improve the public's knowledge of drugs, alcohol and substance abuse.

• Provide support for addiction treatment centres such as the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre to help give people meaningful assistance in managing addiction.

• Working with the Province to provide a safe consumption site for drug users which includes social supports within the building that users can access. This would also help to prevent the accumulation of drug paraphernalia such as needles in public spaces such as community parks.

Tell us about something you’ve seen in another city that Winnipeggers should consider implementing here.

Other major cities are beginning to implement Light Transit Rail. Winnipeg would be an ideal candidate for this type of transit because we have cheap electrical rates, flat geography and long commuter distances. This could be the backbone of a major public transportation system that would help hubs be more efficient, reduce our carbon footprint and reduce costs to repair roads due to a reduction in vehicle traffic.

Find out more about Michael Thompson:

Bryanna Spina

I was born and raised in Winnipeg, my parents ran a home-based business, and I learned the value of hard work at a young age. I've worked in many fields - hospitality, retail and business-to-business sales. My passion for helping people led me to personal wellness and yoga instruction, and I started my own small business in 2012. I am also a dedicated volunteer and have spent many years on the Board of our of our neighbourhood community centre.

Funding and programming for youth and seniors at Community Centres, Libraries and Civic Centres.

Preserving our green spaces.

Keeping taxes affordable while tackling big projects in the ward.

Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.

My husband Giovanni is my high school sweet heart - we have been together for 25 years, married for 14. We have been blessed with three beautiful children.

About your platforms and policies

What is your position on reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians?

I am for opening Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic.

What should Winnipeg’s plan be for the future of public and active transit?

More. Winnipeg needs more protected bike lanes and we need more pathways for cyclists and pedestrians to get about the city. Winnipeg also needs improvements to the current transit system to increase ridership. I'd like to see changes to routes and timetables to make getting around easier.

What actions should the city take to progress toward reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians?

I am constantly learning more about reconciliation and I feel I need to learn more. I have been following the steps taken by the City's Indigenous Relations Division and I'd support their programs, goals and actions.

How can the city tackle growing problems with drug addiction?

This is a tough question as there are so many factors involved. I would support a safe injection site where the drugs can be tested, where there are trained medical professionals and mental health workers on duty and a safer environment for those seeking help. I would also collaborate with neighbourhood safety associations and both the Winnipeg Police Service and First Responders to see how we could work together to make changes.

Tell us about something you’ve seen in another city that Winnipeggers should consider implementing here.

We once went to a fantastic pedestrian mall in Denver. It would be wonderful to have more of this in Winnipeg - an area closed to vehicle traffic creating spaces where people can walk about to shop at local businesses or grab a bite to eat - an open space to connect with other members of their community.

Find out more about Bryanna Spina:

Sherri Rollins

Sherri Rollins is an experienced public servant with a background in conflict resolution, human resources, business, and organizational development. She has held various policy roles in the provincial and federal government and in the private sector. As a proud Huron-Wendat woman, Sherri has also worked with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and is currently employed with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Read More

In 2014, Sherri became a School Board Trustee for Ward 1 of the Winnipeg School Division, the largest and oldest school division in Manitoba. She is presently the Chair of the Winnipeg School Division and is one of only a few Indigenous people to be elected to this role in Canada.

Sherri’s career has focused on many dynamic areas including: community and citizen engagement and government access, community social and economic development, treaty land entitlement, Aboriginal rights, section 35 consultation and accommodation, legacy issues of Indian Residential schools, organizational design, training and development, corporate strategic planning, program review and administration.

She has written for newspapers and appeared on radio and television responding to public policy issues.

Sherri has a BA in Conflict Resolution Studies from the University of Winnipeg. She lives in Winnipeg with her partner Darcy Rollins and her three children. Her favourite Winnipeg Jet is kidsport ambassador Mark Scheifele.

Age: 43

Profession: Senior Policy Analyst

For twenty years I have held various policy roles inside federal, provincial government and in the private sector with my own businesses. Prior to running in the 2018 election, I was an Advisor to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. I also serve as a trustee and Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Winnipeg School Division.

Education:

I hold a BA in Conflict Resolution Studies from the University of Winnipeg.

About You

Have you ever previously run for or held office?

I was first elected in 2014 as a School Trustee in Winnipeg School Division Ward 1, serving first as Chair of Finance and Personnel, then Vice-Chair, and currently as the Chair of the Board. In addition to providing governance oversight and direction for the Division and its $400 million budget, there are many achievements over the past years of which I am proud, including:

•Signing the Indigenous Accord as Chair of the Board; establishing the Indigenous Council; and adding Cree and Ojibway bilingual program responding to decades of work by the Indigenous education community.

•Supporting the forming of a partnership between the division and SAFE Workers of Tomorrow, which now ensures all grade 9 students are given an education session regarding workplace safety and health.

•Helping to pass the first transgender and gender diverse support policy in Manitoba’s history to provide clear protections for all students in the Division.

•Collaboration on a motion with the Newcomers Education Coalition to review use of the 12e credit.

•Collaboration with the Winnipeg Teachers Association to encourage teachers to increase incident reporting, setting out new guidelines for teachers to promote awareness of what needs to be reports and more training on workplace health and safety.

I have been a vocal advocate for making strong investments in education and standing up to the needless cuts from the provincial government. I want to continue to be a strong advocate for investing in the services that Winnipeg families count on at City Hall.

Have you ever been a member of a political party?

Part of the reason I wanted to run for city council was to have a big tent campaign with volunteers and supporters of all political stripes and those with no affiliation at all; my team reflects that diversity and common desire to make things better. I am personally a member of the Manitoba NDP and I am a federal Liberal party member.

Why did you decide to run for office?

Shortly following Jenny Gerbasi’s announcement that she was not seeking re-election, parents for whom I serve at the school division asked me to run for office to continue protecting their interests at city hall.

During my time as Chair of the Board, I saw numerous opportunities for partnership with city councillors and the Mayor; some were realized but there was much more potential. I also had seen first-hand the detrimental impacts of special interests at city hall and their harmful effects on families.

These examples – along with encouragement from the community – have propelled me to take my experience to help build our community, support smart social and economic development across the city, and ensure that there continues to be a strong voice on council for Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry.

What are the biggest issues facing your community?

I've been knocking on doors in Fort Rouge - East Fort Garry for months. Keeping our streets safe, investing in quality city services and infrastructure, and building a more inclusive city are the biggest issues.

Community safety comes up every day as a top concern at the doorstep. Families have stressed the need for better crime prevention in Fort Rouge - East Fort Garry and more resources for at-risk members of our community to assist those harmed by addiction and crime. They want to see advancements in reconciliation and reconciliatory actions, food security and poverty alleviation, green space and permaculture. Arts funding, a culture at city hall that is helpful to business, trade routes and work with the provincial government on a new deal that diversifies revenue stream are also priorities.

Making smart investments that create good jobs and build a stronger economy is top of mind for families in the ward. We need to do a better job of making investments in city services like garbage collection, street plowing, transit, road repair, and an active transportation strategy. Ensuring developers and the city are doing what they say they are going to do and are responsive to community consultation concerning city planning and area development are priorities. So is protecting the integrity of the neighbourhoods with good and reasonable design.

Standing up to needless cuts to social services while building more affordable and low income housing is important as families in our community struggle to make ends meet.

Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.

I love the Beastie Boys all of their albums and the voices of MCA, Ad-Rock, and Mike D.

About your platforms and policies

I will stand behind the decision of Winnipeggers, and respect their vote.

Personally I will be voting to open because I believe in a barrier-free and accessible Winnipeg and want to see safety improved downtown.

What should Winnipeg’s plan be for the future of public and active transit?

I am committed to improving the quality of city services like public transit and infrastructure for cyclists.

That means planning for more busses – built right here in Winnipeg – as part of our active fleet. Investing in the next leg of rapid transit development is a priority so that transit users get where they need to go reliably and quickly. Keeping fares affordable for seniors and those on a fixed income is a priority. Provincial cuts and fare increases put more burden onto our already underfunded system every day; I will continue to advocate for the restoration of 50/50 transit funding between the City and the Province.

It also means expanding and connecting our network of active transit paths so that individuals and families have the opportunity to walk, run, and bike in safety and more fully enjoy the beautiful neighbourhoods and natural settings with which we are blessed.

What actions should the city take to progress toward reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians?

I have had the opportunity to reflect on reconciliation in many facets, not only as an indigenous woman, but in my past work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In my current role a Chair of the Board with the Winnipeg School Division, I have taken a leading role in moving the Division to grapple with reconciliation throughout the organization.

I welcome the opportunity to bring this experience to City Hall.

As a start, realizing the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) at the municipal level while working to deepen relationships with Treaty One governments would help us build a better Winnipeg for everyone. That means making a commitment to providing resources and safe-spaces to reduce racialized violence and advocating for Indigenous community-led appointments to the Winnipeg Police board – among others – to make our community more aware, more inclusive, and safer for all Winnipeggers.

How can the city tackle growing problems with drug addiction?

I am committed to making our city safer by supporting community partners that are already working on early intervention measures, creating recovery centres for those trying get back on their feet, and other measures to reduce harm like safe injection sites. We also need to provide alternatives to police cruisers for interventions.

Tell us about something you’ve seen in another city that Winnipeggers should consider implementing here.

1. I am committed to developing a zero-fatality traffic safety strategy, similar to the Swedish "Vision Zero" model that has seen success in other Canadian cities. I've heard first hand at the doorstep that families want to walk, bike and drive in our city without fear. A zero-fatality strategy would mean better, long-term investments in road repair and safer streets for Winnipeggers. It’s time we get serious and make our roads work for all of our citizens, whether they walk, cycle, or drive.

2. While canvassing during the election I was asked to start a breakfast program at a school. I like Vancouver and Toronto’s work in support of a more safe and sustainable food system for their cities. This includes policy and guideline work including encouraging biodiversity, use of under-utilized spaces and work to enhance the green economy.

3. Fort Rouge- East Fort Garry is home to Corydon, Sherbrook, South Osborne, and Osborne Village where there is happening night spots with a busy nighttime scene and creative night-time economic development. I am a fan of night-time economic development focus of cities like Paris, London, Amsterdam, Zurich, Berlin, that actively support the nighttime economy, party promoters, and encouraging of live music but also enforce standards, reducing street noise.

4. Winnipeggers are circumspect that deals like True North Square and the stadium were made in their best interest by the city and the province. While they are supportive of revitalization, they are concerned with the extent to which governments should subsidize private development downtown. These deals have also brought to focus the public policy priority of creating low income housing. A review of the Province’s Community Revitalization Tax Increment Financing Act and Tax Increment Financing program is required. Not only do I support an economic development office that shines a light on policy that works, and support a provincial panel to work on a new deal between the city and the province including an examination of revitalization instruments like TIF. I view increasing revitalization tools and defining parameters as a priority. Detroit’s Pink Zoning holds promise. This refers to a lessening of red tape that can quickly thwart revitalization with rigid policy interpretations and strangle potential.

Find out more about Sherri Rollins:

Jeff Palmer

I grew up in River Heights and attended Grant Park High School. After high school I attended the University of Manitoba for a BA, and then the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax for an Environmental Planning degree. I returned home to complete a Master of City Planning degree in 2003. Over the past 18 years I've worked as a city planner for the Forks Renewal Corporation, CentreVenture Development Corporation, and the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation. I am currently a partner in Catapult Community Planning, a small planning firm I operate with a fellow University of Manitoba alumni. I am married to Carolyn Frost and we have two children, Heidi and Bridget, who attend Ecole Riverview School. We have lived in Riverview since 2006.

Read More

Age: 47

Profession: City Planner

Education:

Bachelor of Arts (Economics, Political Studies) University of Manitoba 1993

Bachelor of Design (Environmental Planning) Nova Scotia College of Art and Design 1997

Master of City Planning University of Manitoba 2003

About You

Have you ever previously run for or held office?

No. This is my first time.

Have you ever been a member of a political party?

No. I have always been interested in politics and active in the community, but never as a member of a political party.

Why did you decide to run for office?

Many years ago, while still in school, we were assigned a book entitled "Making a Living While Making a Difference." It stuck with me. For the last 18 years I've been fortunate to have worked on many projects that are meaningful to me - creating affordable housing, restoring heritage buildings, developing green space, and others. I want to encourage projects that improve the quality of life for all citizens. I hope that over the years I have developed both the practical skills and good judgement necessary to hold political office.

What are the biggest issues facing your community?

There are four specific issues that I'm focusing on: building infrastructure that meets the needs of our changing city, providing a good quality of life in older neighbourhoods, building a safe community by addressing the causes of crime, and ensuring that our environment is clean and healthy. For a long time our City was best described as sleepy. Our neighbourhoods were comfortable and familiar. Today one of the biggest issues is change - encouraging the changes we want to see, while understanding and addressing changes we don't.

Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.

When I was five I was on a local segment of Sesame Street. We went to the country, ran through sunflowers, and watched honey being produced. That segment was repeated for about 15 years, and every time it played my grandmother would call me. Somewhere we are hiding a copy of the segment on Beta.

About your platforms and policies

What is your position on reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians?

I believe that it should be opened, but will respect the results of the plebiscite.

What should Winnipeg’s plan be for the future of public and active transit?

Public and active transit need to be a priority. It is key to our own personal health and the health of our environment. That is partly why I support opening Portage and Main - we need to put the needs of downtown pedestrians first. Good public and active transit also improves the liveability of our neighbourhoods. We must ensure that all new infrastructure projects properly incorporate public and active transit facilities in their construction, and that new neighbourhoods are designed and built that promote public and active transit usage.

What actions should the city take to progress toward reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians?

Reconciliation is an issue that is personally important to me. According to the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, reconciliation "is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. In order for that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour." I have family, friends, and neighbours who are Indigenous. All of us - individually and as a community - need to become familiar with the Calls to Action identified in the report and take action where possible.

How can the city tackle growing problems with drug addiction?

In principal, I believe that problems can best be addressed with prevention. I support the motion approved by Executive Policy Committee on September 12, 2018 that requests that "the Provincial and Federal Governments be immediately called upon to establish an intergovernmental task force with the City of Winnipeg, with a mandate to identify prevention and treatment strategies to help individuals suffering from addiction to methamphetamine." Although increased enforcement needs to be part of the solution, more police officers alone, without increased resources dedicated to prevention and treatment, will not solve the problem of drug addiction and crime.

Tell us about something you’ve seen in another city that Winnipeggers should consider implementing here.

I love to explore cities by bicycle. When in Toronto recently I rented a bicycle from Bike Share Toronto. Bike Share Toronto has almost 4000 bicycles at over 300 stations across the city. It's perfect for short trips as you can rent a bicycle from one station and return it to another while you run errands, sightsee, etc. I think this would be a great way to link inner city neighbourhoods throughout the city but Downtown in particular.

Find out more about Jeff Palmer:

Stephanie Meilleur

Having served as the Osborne Village Biz Executive Director for 7 years, I have poured my heart into the Winnipeg community. Spearheading and creating the Osborne Village Foot Patrol, producing Canada Day, Winnipeg’s largest and longest running street festival, and being a leader in advocacy for business owners and residents for the Fort Rouge and East Fort Garry community. Standing up for small business is only one of my priorities and does not shadow any of my other platforms.

Read More

Focusing on the improvement of city services including infrastructure, permit processing, betterment of the Winnipeg Police relationship and budget. I thrive at taking on new challenges and projects. I plan to create a mental health and addictions focus plan, support senior citizens as they age in place, and improve transit services.

Age: 34

Profession: Stephanie Meilleur is a small business owner who has devoted her career to leadership, communications and organization. As co-owner of F.A.C.E. Productions, a local promotions company, she has provided event management and marketing for events and advocacy initiatives such as APTN Indigenous Day LIVE, Osborne Village Canada Day Festival, 103rd Grey Cup, 2017 Canada Summer Games, Heritage Classic. She has served as the Executive Director of the Osborne Village Business Improvement Zone for the last six years

About You

Why did you decide to run for office?

With such a passion for public service I feel it is now time to make the step towards public office. I have over ten years experience working directly with City service departments from public works, transit, water and waste, planning, property and development, traffic services, to forestry. It is time for a new, bold and fresh voice at City Hall. It is time for BETTER!

What are the biggest issues facing your community?

Public Safety

Homelessness

State of Sidewalks and Streets

Transit-Frequency, routes and schedules

Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.

I am a mother to a 10 year old daughter, I am an advocate for dog owners and my family raises Italian Mastiffs. I have been an advocate for the sport of cheerleading for over 20 years. I currently hold the Outreach Director position on the Manitoba Cheerleading Federation board of directors and judge for local competitions.

About your platforms and policies

What should Winnipeg’s plan be for the future of public and active transit?

Public Transportation

Our current Public Transit needs to be accountable for frequency of route stops, and schedules. The residents of our ward are frustrated with the inconsistency of scheduled stops, and the frequency of the buses.

-The Free Spirit Bus route should be altered to be available for more of the downtown area

-Implementation of a parking plan for Transit employees that relives residential streets.

Active Transportation

Approve the cyclist bridge from Fort Rouge Park to Bonnycastle Park with public consultation and engagement from residents to establish cycle paths that work best for the community.

How can the city tackle growing problems with drug addiction?

This topic is of my top priorities. With the drastic increase in Methamphetamine usage that has taken hold of our city, short and long-term planning must be taken immediately. The Winnipeg Police Department needs more supports and resources in order to combat the increasing rise in crime. Working with the WPS as an advocate for Business Improvement Zones as the executive director of the Osborne Village BIZ, I have experienced first hand the difference community police and beat patrols can make. If elected I plan to re-instate a beat patrol department of the WPS, with both on foot and bike patrols. and regain strength in Neighborhood Watch Groups with the use of technology.

Tell us about something you’ve seen in another city that Winnipeggers should consider implementing here.

Winnipeg currently has the second highest person to dog ratio in Canada. With Winnipeggers having 54, 585 licensed dogs in 2017. Yet, Winnipeg only has access to twelve off leash dog parks totaling less than 200 acres of space. Our City has 10, 000 acres of parks and green space. Some of our green spaces are not being used. In fact, they are attracting negative behaviors including drug trades, and vandalism. The movement of people and dogs in these areas would increase foot traffic and activity, naturally causing a deterrent for negative acts. Winnipeg is drastically behind in providing citizens with adequate space for dog exercise and socialization. Calgary has 150 public off leash areas for dogs.

The City of Winnipeg has 67 outdoor hockey rinks, that with little to no cost can be used for off leash dog areas in the warmer months. While Tennis courts can be utilized in the winter months.

Find out more about Stephanie Meilleur:

Peter Koroma

Peter Koroma is a community advocate with decades of experience in public service and helping people deal with government. He is actively involved with immigration sponsorship and settlement services in Winnipeg, and has a history of supporting cross-cultural exchanges in Winnipeg.

Read More

Peter is one of the creators of the Newcomer Youth Educational Support Services Coalition, which serves hundreds of newcomer youths in the city. This non-profit organization welcomes children from every continent who land in Winnipeg – providing summer and after-school learning programs that help them succeed in Canada.

Since graduating from the University of Manitoba, he has worked as a policy analyst for the province, a case coordinator in Family Services and a special assistant to River Heights MLA Dr. Jon Gerrard in the Legislature.

Peter is a strong advocate for fighting poverty and homelessness, and he is known to get results for people in need. He is running a grassroots campaign to offer a new voice with new ideas for the communities of Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry.

Age: 68

Profession: Throughout my decades of public service, I have been a provincial Policy Analyst, Case Worker for Family Services, and a special assistant to River Heights MLA Dr. Jon Gerrard. After retiring, I have continued to do charity work related to helping newcomers to Canada find a career or start their own business. For 12 years, I have also run a Summer Learning Program for newcomer youth that has helped hundreds of children graduate high school and integrate into Winnipeg.

Education:

I am an alumni of the University of Manitoba, with a Master’s in Political Studies and a B.A. in Economics.

About You

Have you ever previously run for or held office?

Yes, I ran for Logan MLA in 2016.

Have you ever been a member of a political party?

I ran as a Liberal provincially and I have been a member of the Liberal Party in the past.

Why did you decide to run for office?

I am running for office because nothing is more rewarding to me than serving the public and getting results for people in need. We need to shake things up at City Hall, and I am not interested in continuing the status quo.

We need to combat meth and improve security. We need to cut red tape at City offices and modernize the services. And we need to start thinking about long term infrastructure planning for our growing city. That is why I'm running.

What are the biggest issues facing your community?

1) Security issues, mostly related to drug addiction and homelessness, which are problems in need of new solutions.

2) Small Business issues, where lack of parking, infrastructure changes and too much red tape is negatively impacting our community.

3) Infrastructure issues, because we have crumbling infrastructure and no clearly defined long-term vision for our public transit. We want to grow to 1 million people, so we need to build accordingly.

Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.

I was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, in 1950 and I worked hard to finance my way to Canada to seek a better life. I landed in Winnipeg in 1980 and attended the University of Winnipeg Collegiate before going on to my studies at the University of Manitoba. Winnipeg has been home ever since. I lived in Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry when I arrived, and now my children and grand-child are enjoying living in this beautiful ward. Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry is home for my family.

About your platforms and policies

What is your position on reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians?

I support opening the intersection for accessibility reasons, and I believe more foot traffic above ground is good for business Downtown. However, I have concerns about the final cost and design of this project. We should incorporate local artists and architects to do something creative with the iconic intersection. I do not think this should be a priority issue in this election.

What should Winnipeg’s plan be for the future of public and active transit?

A modern growing city needs to be a well-connected city. We need to modernize our fleet with more electric buses, and improve scheduling in key business areas like Corydon and Osborne. If elected, I will advocate for a full and final Bus Rapid Transit plan for our city. This needs to be a long-term plan that lays out a central hub and very clear dedicated transit corridors that connect each direction to Downtown. After so many years of BRT planning, we only have an incomplete Southern corridor that is being worked on with no clear vision for what comes next. We need to modernize our fleet with more electric buses, and improve scheduling in key business areas.

Many voters have given up on this project because too much money has been wasted, which is why we need a clear fully costed plan to be transparent with taxpayers. This issue should not hang over Winnipeg elections forever with no clear vision and plan.

What actions should the city take to progress toward reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians?

There are too many actions to list here, but they range from small to large. We need to look at employment policies that lift up Indigenous people within the civil service and especially policing. We need to work with businesses to embrace social enterprise policies that seek out Indigenous and other marginalized communities with jobs and training opportunities. The City acknowledges that we are on Treaty 1 territory, and that means we need to genuinely reach out to Indigenous people in Winnipeg in the spirit of Reconciliation.

Many amazing initiatives like the Bear Clan, Got Bannock? and many others are being led by members of the community, so the City should partner with these advocates to expand the work they are doing and try to address the issues they deal with firsthand.

How can the city tackle growing problems with drug addiction?

As I campaign door to door, I hear concerns about the healthcare and security costs associated with drugs in our communities. And I have heard some tragic stories from families directly impacted by addiction.

My own idea for a safe injection site downtown has been reported by CBC, but I think it is important to clarify that we need drug rehab solutions — period. Whether it is a safe injection site downtown or elsewhere is not as important as agreeing that we need one in the first place. I believe both other levels of government will work with us, but we may have to do most of the heavy lifting.

Based on my own campaigning, I know we are ready to try something new to combat drugs in our city. I hear about destruction of property, trespassing and theft related to addicts, which can be reduced if we are controlling where addicts go. Recently, the Health Sciences Centre requested additional security specifically to handle meth addicts. Aside from security, there is the human cost when lives could be saved through controlled addiction treatment.

We need new ideas to combat addiction and the related crimes across the ward. Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry cannot afford the status quo if we want to address the meth crisis facing our communities. I will put forward progressive solutions to this problem, and I will not accept the status quo.

Tell us about something you’ve seen in another city that Winnipeggers should consider implementing here.

Calgary Transit has a Long-Term Strategic Plan that is similar to what I want to advocate for our Bus Rapid Transit. It is a 30-year plan, and that is the kind of vision we need for our public transit. We need our own long-term strategic transit plan, whether it is 10, 20 or 30 years.

By subscribing to the above e-mail alerts I agree to receive selected communications from Winnipeg Free Press, even if I have previously opted out from communications. E-mail preferences can be changed at any time under 'My Account->My Email Alerts'.

You can comment on most stories on The Winnipeg Free Press website. You can also agree or disagree with other comments.
All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or digital subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

Have Your Say

Comments are open to The Winnipeg Free Press print or digital subscribers only. why?